11.2.05

Irelandclick.com

Process of truth telling a success

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The truth telling process involved in the making of a book about Ardoyne and the people who died as a result of the conflict has been described as a substantial success by its authors.
The report compiled by Dr Patricia Lundy, lecturer at the University of Ulster and Dr Mark McGovern, lecturer at Edge Hill College in Lancaster, was launched on Tuesday detailing the impact the book Ardoyne: The Untold Truth had on the local and wider community.
The Untold Truth, produced by the Ardoyne Commemoration Project, told the story of the 99 people from Ardoyne killed as a result of the conflict.
For the report the researchers carried out interviews with relatives of the 99 victims, a cross-section of opinion within Ardoyne and representatives of other Nationalist and Unionist communities.
“We wanted to know what participants got out of engaging in such a process and what contribution it might make to conflict resolution,” Patricia Lundy said, speaking at the launch on Tuesday.
“And what most relatives told us was that this was about acknowledgement and recognition of what ordinary people had gone through.
“That was the most important impact the book had. It gave people the opportunity to tell their own story. The key to the project’s success was that it was carried out by local people.”
In the main, the findings of the report entitled Community, Truth-telling and Conflict Resolution showed that engaging in such a community ‘truth-telling’ process was an extremely positive experience for those who participated.
Supporting this the report states: “Clearly of importance was ‘giving voice’ and documenting previously excluded or marginalised voices. The value and symbolism in giving individuals the opportunity to ‘tell their story’ should not be underestimated.”
The report, which was funded by the Community Relations Council, also reveals that the groundbreaking work carried out in Ardoyne has been recognised internationally.
The book, which has travelled as far afield as Chile, South Africa and Sri Lanka, is also being seen as a model that could be used in other societies and communities.
Free copies of the report can be picked up at Intercomm, Holy Cross Church, Ardoyne Focus Group or by accessing cain.ulst.ac.uk website or by telephoning Patricia Lundy at the University of Ulster on 08700 400 700.

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